Zan News: Members of the Justice-Seeking Women’s Movement of Afghanistan have declared that they will continue their struggle against the Taliban and will never bow to oppression. Social Media Protesting Women: We Will Never Bow to Oppression August 20, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Members of the Justice-Seeking Women’s Movement of Afghanistan have declared that they will continue their struggle against the Taliban and will never bow to oppression. On Monday (August 19th), the members of this movement referred to August 15th as a "Black Day" in the country's history—a day, they said, when "misfortune and darkness" cast a shadow over all of Afghanistan. They pointed to the "shameful" deal made in Doha that led to the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, stating that this agreement changed the fate of the Afghan people, especially women, and brought "terrorists and misogynistic criminals" to power. With the slogan "We Fight, We Do Not Accept Darkness," the members of this movement emphasized their resistance against the Taliban's misogynistic actions and called on the international community to support their rights. They also urged the people of Afghanistan to stand alongside the women and girls of the country to reclaim their lost rights.

The Humanitarian Crisis Amid the Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan Photo: Stefanie Glinski The Open Wounds of Migration: Pakistan Expels, the World Watches April 19, 2025 Tamim Attaiy The Humanitarian Crisis Amid the Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan Migration, at first glance, may seem like merely a movement from one land to another. But for the Afghan woman, migration often means fleeing death, escaping the shadow of the whip, breaking free from the prison of ignorance, and struggling to survive with human dignity. The Afghan woman, in recent decades, has become a symbol of resistance against tyranny. She did not fall silent under the burqa, she taught in secret classrooms, she fought with her pen and camera, and she struggled for a voice that others always tried to silence. With the Taliban's return to power in the summer of 2021, all of Afghan women’s achievements collapsed. Thousands of women who had been active in government institutions, the media, the military, and civil organizations were overnight turned into targets of suppression and elimination. Threats, persecution, arrests, and in some cases, murder were part of the price women paid for their independence and enlightenment. For many of them, the only way to survive was to leave their homeland. But migration was not the end of their suffering, it became the beginning of an endless exile, full of uncertainty, fear, and abandonment. Today, in the streets and camps of Pakistan, the voices of women can be heard who were once the intellectual and social pillars of Afghanistan. Women who are now undocumented, unsupported, and on the verge of forced deportation. Their story is one of compounded discrimination, as migrants, as women, and as voices that the powerful do not want to hear. Forced Deportation: A Cruel Policy Against Refugees In October 2023, the government of Pakistan implemented a new policy requiring all foreign nationals without valid residence documents to leave the country. This decision, made without regard for the legal and security status of Afghan refugees, sparked a wave of concern within the refugee community. Former women activists, already threatened by the Taliban, now feel unsafe in the host country as well. According to data released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior, by the end of 2024, more than 500,000 Afghan refugees had been deported from Pakistan without consideration of their humanitarian situation. Meanwhile, human rights organizations including Amnesty International have warned that the forced return of refugees, especially former women activists, could lead to torture, imprisonment, or even death. U.S. Immigration Policies: A Hope Turned Into Despair In January 2025, the Donald Trump administration suspended Afghan refugee admissions for a period of three months. This decision halted the resettlement process for more than 20,000 Afghans who were awaiting relocation to the United States. Many of these individuals were women who had been at risk due to their collaboration with American institutions, media outlets, aid organizations, or human rights groups. In April 2025, the Trump administration also revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 14,600 Afghans and 7,900 Cameroonians residing in the United States. This move signaled the end of temporary protections for these individuals and increased the risk of their deportation from the country. Women’s Stories: From Hope to Despair Noria Sakandari, a former employee in the Human Rights Division of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security, fled to Pakistan after the fall of Kabul. She says, "My case was registered under the P2 program. The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad told me to wait. Now two years have passed, and with the arrival of the Trump administration, no response has come. We have been erased from the list of human beings." Samira Ebrahimi, a former journalist for a reputable media outlet in Kabul who is now a member of the Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile and currently living in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, says, "When the Taliban shut down my news agency, I fled Afghanistan overnight. In Pakistan, I hoped my voice would not be silenced. But today, I even feel watched here." Maliha, a former officer in the Afghan National Army, represents a story of both pain and courage. After the fall of Kabul, she entered Pakistan alone through smuggling routes. With a wounded body and a troubled soul, she now lives in a refugee camp near Islamabad. She says, "I laid down my weapon to save my life, but even here I have no safety. I am a woman, a former soldier, and a restless soul longing for my homeland." Global Reactions: Silence or Powerlessness? Despite repeated warnings from international organizations, the Pakistani government has continued deporting refugees. Human Rights Watch stated in a report, "The forced deportation of asylum seekers who face threats upon return to Afghanistan is a violation of the 1951 Refugee Convention." However, despite these warnings, Western countries have also remained silent in the face of this crisis. The United States’ strict immigration policies in 2024 significantly reduced the acceptance of cases filed by Afghan women. According to recent data from the U.S. immigration office, only 8 percent of asylum applications from Afghan women who were active during the republic have been approved. An Uncertain Ending, an Unclear Future The future of these women is shrouded in uncertainty. The world, which once sang songs of equality for the rights of Afghan women, now seems either powerless or indifferent as it watches their suffering. This report is an echo of the silenced voices of women who, caught between escape and erasure, hold on to a faint hope for justice. The wounds of migration have neither healed nor been acknowledged. Pakistan continues to deport, and the world is still just watching.

Zan News: The Scottish government, in collaboration with a Scottish charity, has transferred 19 Afghan female students to Scotland to pursue medical studies. Photo: Linda Norgrove Foundation 19 Afghan Female Students Went to Scotland to Continue Their Studies August 21, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The Scottish government, in collaboration with a Scottish charity, has transferred 19 Afghan female students to Scotland to pursue medical studies. According to a report by The National Scot, on Wednesday (August 21) that these female students had been deprived of their education due to the Taliban's retaking of Afghanistan. The report stated that with the help of the Linda Norgrove Foundation and the support of the Scottish government, these students have been given the opportunity to continue their studies at one of the country's universities. These students were welcomed yesterday, Tuesday (August 20), at Edinburgh Airport in Scotland by Jenny Gilruth, the Scottish Education Secretary, along with a group of students in Edinburgh. This move by the Scottish government comes as the Taliban, after taking control of Afghanistan, have banned girls from attending universities.

Zan News: The Guardian has reported that the UK government rejected the asylum applications of 26 Afghan women’s rights activists during the final quarter of 2024, telling one of the women that returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan would be “safe.” Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS | AFP UK Rejects Asylum Requests of 26 Afghan Women’s Rights Activists April 6, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The Guardian has reported that the UK government rejected the asylum applications of 26 Afghan women’s rights activists during the final quarter of 2024, telling one of the women that returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan would be “safe.” According to the report published on Saturday (April 5), one of these women—referred to under the pseudonym “Mina”—had worked on projects funded by Western governments that provided consultation and training to women prior to the Taliban’s return to power. Mina shared details of the dangers she faced in Afghanistan during her interview with UK immigration authorities. However, her asylum application was rejected by the UK Home Office. In the rejection letter, it was stated: “We believe that if you return to Afghanistan, you will not face a real risk of persecution, mistreatment, or harm due to drawing the Taliban’s attention.” The letter also emphasized: “It is likely that, due to your work, you have a strong support network, and there are no compassionate or humanitarian grounds in your case that justify granting residence outside standard immigration rules.” The Guardian wrote that many of Mina’s former colleagues have either gone into hiding or fled Afghanistan, leaving her with little to no support network. Mina told the newspaper: “I thought my asylum application would be accepted. I came from Afghanistan, I’m a woman, and I worked with Western governments. The rejection was a complete shock. Now I live in daily fear of being sent back. Having a normal life here is like a dream. I’m truly suffering mentally.” She added: “When I arrived here, I felt safe and thought I had found a chance at life. In Afghanistan, I wasn’t even seen as a human. Here, I learned to ride a bicycle—something I wasn’t allowed to do in my country. I was full of hope that my life would change, but someone hit the pause button on my life. I hope someone will press play again.” According to the Guardian, in the final quarter of 2024, the UK government rejected asylum applications from a total of 2,000 Afghan nationals, including the 26 women mentioned. Moreover, the acceptance rate for asylum applications from Afghan nationals in the UK dropped from 98.5% at the end of 2023 to 36% by the end of 2024. Jamie Bell, Mina’s lawyer, told the Guardian: “It’s shocking that 26 Afghan women’s asylum applications have been rejected in the last quarter, but this case is especially distressing because the UK Home Office claims that a woman who risked her life defending women’s rights in Afghanistan is not in danger if returned.” He emphasized: “The UK should be proud to provide refuge to people like Mina. This decision is an insult to all those who defended Western values in Afghanistan and now cannot return to their country safely. They deserve protection.” This comes as, since the Taliban’s return to power, women and girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of their rights to education, work, and social participation, with reports emerging of detention, torture, harassment, and even sexual violence against women activists in Taliban custody.

Zan News - Faryab: A 12-year-old child committed suicide in Dawlatabad district of Faryab. 12-Year-Old Child Commits Suicide in Faryab July 1, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Faryab: A 12-year-old child committed suicide in Dawlatabad district of Faryab. According to local sources, the child, named Mustafa, hanged himself at his home in the village of Quraish in Dawlatabad district on Saturday (June 29). The cause and motive of the suicide are not yet known. Taliban officials have also not commented on the incident so far.

Zan News: Rukhshana Rezaei and Maryam Maroof Arwin, two women's rights activists, have called on religious scholars to break their silence against the Taliban's policies on women in response to recent statements by Yahya Anabi, a cleric close to the Taliban. Women's Activists: Religious Scholars Should Not Remain Silent Against Taliban's Policies on Women July 20, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Rukhshana Rezaei and Maryam Maroof Arwin, two women's rights activists, have called on religious scholars to break their silence against the Taliban's policies on women in response to recent statements by Yahya Anabi, a cleric close to the Taliban. These women's rights activists described the statements of this Taliban-supporting cleric as the peak of darkness, misogyny, and humiliation of Afghan women, and stated that his remarks are ignorant of religion and exaggerated. They argued that Afghan scholars should not allow such individuals to spread incorrect propaganda against women. In one of Panjshir's mosques, Mullah Yahya Anabi said that "stripping naked the freedom-loving women in prison is not enough, and they should be stripped naked in the streets and among people to serve as a lesson for other freedom-loving women." Rukhshana Rezaei commented on this: "Afghan women have been victims of the lack of justice in this country for years, and Mullah Anabi's words reflect the peak of cruelty and the Taliban's ugly and misogynistic view of Afghan women." She added, "The humiliation and insults by Taliban-affiliated clerics against Afghan women and their exaggerations about Islam are ignorant and incorrect. Religious scholars should not allow such individuals to use religion to spread false and incorrect propaganda against Afghan women." Rezaei emphasized, "Afghan women have been victims of these false and ignorant propaganda by clerics who have no knowledge of Islam for years." She called on religious scholars and particularly the Islamic community to pay serious attention to the situation of Afghan women and people and not remain silent against the Taliban's ruthless policies against women. She urged them to take a decisive and serious stance on the situation of Afghan women. Maryam Maroof Arwin, another women's rights activist, also said, "For us Afghan women, especially those inside the country, it is puzzling what other crime the Taliban must commit under the guise of implementing Sharia against the Afghan people, especially women and girls, vulnerable ethnic groups, and religious minorities, for the conscience of religious scholars in Afghanistan to wake up and stand against the Taliban's misuse of religion and their crimes." She expressed hope that religious scholars would not remain silent against the Taliban and their crimes and would break their silence.

Zan News: The Afghanistan Women’s Political Participation Network and the Coalition of Afghanistan Women’s Protest Movements, on the eve of International Human Rights Day, organized a protest rally and issued a statement, calling for the international community’s efforts to address the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan. Sent to Zan News Protesting Women Call for International Community to Address the Dire Human Rights Situation in Afghanistan December 7, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The Afghanistan Women’s Political Participation Network and the Coalition of Afghanistan Women’s Protest Movements, on the eve of International Human Rights Day, organized a protest rally and issued a statement, calling for the international community’s efforts to address the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan. The statement, released today, Saturday (December 7), refers to International Human Rights Day, which is celebrated annually on December 10, and emphasizes that the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 was a fundamental step in ensuring human rights and freedoms. "However, under the current circumstances, these rights are being severely violated in Afghanistan." The statement reads: "Human rights violations continue to be rampant in Afghanistan, and the international community must take action to support human rights in this country." Referring to the rights situation of Afghan women and girls after the fall of the previous government in August 2021 and the Taliban's takeover, the statement asserts that fundamental rights of women, including the right to education, work, and freedom of movement, have been severely violated. It continues, "These restrictions not only impact the future of women and girls but also pose a serious obstacle to the social and economic development of Afghanistan." In another section of the statement, the situation of children in Afghanistan is addressed. Economic crises, war, poverty, and lack of educational facilities are mentioned as the challenges that Afghan children are facing. The statement adds that many children, due to the adverse economic conditions, are forced into child labor and deprived of educational and healthcare services. It also states, "Children, because of the bitter experiences of war, violence, and poverty, are suffering from psychological issues such as anxiety and depression." The protesters have called on the international community and human rights organizations to take practical measures and adopt solutions to "save the citizens of Afghanistan, especially women and children, and to end the current situation." In conclusion, their statement stresses: "International Human Rights Day is an occasion to remind the world of the challenges and problems regarding the rights of all humans across the globe. For Afghan children, there is a need for urgent attention and actions to improve their living conditions."

Zan News: The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has reported that the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has banned the broadcasting of living beings images in six provinces so far. Creator: Ebrahim Noroozi | AP AFJC: Taliban Bans Broadcasting of Living Beings' Images in Six Provinces So Far January 8, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has reported that the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has banned the broadcasting of living beings images in six provinces so far. In a statement issued on Tuesday (7 January), the center expressed concern over the expansion of this ban, warning that such restrictions could have negative consequences on media operations and access to information. According to reports, the Taliban's virtue ministry recently imposed this ban in Nuristan province. In this province, apart from the offices of the state-run National Radio and Television and Bakhtar News Agency, three private media outlets—Radio Elina, Sula Sahar, and Paroon Voice—are operational. Sources stated that the National Television in Nuristan does not produce local programs, and before this ban, its reports were aired via the National Television in Kabul. Similarly, video reports from Bakhtar News Agency’s provincial office were sent to Kabul for broadcasting. The Afghanistan Journalists Center noted that in addition to Nuristan, this ban has been officially implemented in five other provinces, including Kandahar, Takhar, Badghis, Helmand, and Nangarhar. As a result, local visual media have ceased operations, and journalists are facing significant restrictions. It is worth mentioning that, according to Article 17 of the Taliban's law on Promotion of Virtue, officials of this group are instructed to prevent the broadcasting of images and videos featuring live beings. This law has also been enforced in some Taliban-run offices in Kabul, though state and private television outlets in the capital are still continuing their broadcasts. The Afghanistan Journalists Center described the expansion of this ban as a clear example of systematic suppression of freedom of speech and media. It called on the Taliban leadership to lift these restrictions and respect the fundamental rights of journalists and media, including freedom of expression.

Zan News: The news website "Arab News" has reported that following the educational deprivation of girls in Afghanistan, women entrepreneurs are striving to create a space for the empowerment and independence of women in the country. Photo: UNHCR/Caroline Gluck The Efforts of Women Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan to Empower and Achieve Independence for Women Amidst Taliban Restrictions October 22, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The news website "Arab News" has reported that following the educational deprivation of girls in Afghanistan, women entrepreneurs are striving to create a space for the empowerment and independence of women in the country. According to the report, with the Taliban's intensified restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan, including their exclusion from public spaces and prohibitions on attending schools and universities, several women entrepreneurs have turned to establishing private businesses. The report states that over the past three years, particularly in western Afghanistan and Herat, at least 800 business licenses have been issued to women who have started small enterprises. Arab News also notes that these businesses, managed by women, operate in areas such as clothing, carpet weaving, painting, food production, and processing and packaging. The report adds: "Given that women are only allowed to work as long as they work for women and among women, overcoming these restrictions is not easy. This situation has been complicated by the existing sanctions and Afghanistan's fragile economy." Legal and financial challenges are cited as two major issues facing women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan. According to female entrepreneurs, Arab News states that providing job opportunities for other women means fulfilling social responsibility and realizing the latent energy within the community by other Afghan women. Furthermore, the report mentions that the establishment of small businesses by women in Afghanistan helps reduce gender inequality, increase social participation, and strengthen family foundations. This comes at a time when the employment rate across the country has significantly decreased since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. This situation is exacerbated by the ongoing restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women's participation in public sectors, secondary and higher education, and their movement. Despite the imposed restrictions in Afghanistan, women are striving to support other women, girls, and their families by starting private businesses.

Zan News: Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, an international lawyer and human rights writer, has stated in a recent article in Forbes that Afghan women face serious threats under the Taliban due to the group’s harsh and discriminatory laws. Photo: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES Forbes: Afghan Women at Risk of Forced Return to Afghanistan April 14, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, an international lawyer and human rights writer, has stated in a recent article in Forbes that Afghan women face serious threats under the Taliban due to the group’s harsh and discriminatory laws. In the article, published on Sunday, April 13, Ochab wrote that many Afghan women who are living abroad on educational scholarships are at risk of deportation. She warned that the suspension of financial aid and the halt in visa issuance have paved the way for the forced return of these women to Afghanistan. The article notes that in January of this year alone, the United States canceled the travel of 1,660 Afghan asylum seekers, many of whom are women. It also refers to the situation of more than 80 Afghan women studying in Oman under the “WSE” program, whose scholarships are on the verge of being revoked. According to the U.S. State Department, funding for these scholarships will end on June 30, 2025. Ochab stressed that women in Afghanistan are deprived of education, work, travel, and access to public spaces, and that this situation must be recognized as “gender apartheid.” She called on the international community to cut diplomatic and economic ties with the Taliban and to take immediate action to support Afghan women.